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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Philip Oltermann European culture editor

Woe Vienna? Boycotts and blackouts mar buildup as Eurovision 2026 begins

Tamara Živković poses in striking black outfit with red lips and long mauve finger nails
Tamara Živković representing Montenegro poses for photographers on the turquoise carpet at Sunday’s opening ceremony for the Eurovision song contest 2026 in Vienna. Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

It was meant to be the crowning moment of a seemingly never-ending success story: the 70th anniversary of the world’s biggest and ever-expanding live music event, held in a city steeped in history both dramatic and musical.

But as Vienna gears up to host this year’s Eurovision song contest, which starts on Tuesday and culminates in Saturday’s grand final, euphoria will be hard to come by outside the power ballads performed onstage.

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